Stumbling block

For other uses, see Stumbling block (disambiguation).

The Koine Greek word, skándalon (Strong's 4625) means either a 'trap-stick' or a 'stumbling block'. In the Bible, skándalon is used figuratively to mean either something that causes people to sin, or something that causes them to lose their faith in Jesus.[1]

  1. A trap-stick:[2] a stick holding open a baited trap; when a creature touches it, it releases the trap door to capture the prey. This figuratively refers to a person that entices someone into wrongdoing, getting them to thereby harm or destroy themselves. For example, Peter tempting Christ to refuse the crucifixion.[3] Causing others to sin endangers their connection to God and potentially destroys their souls.[4] If the victim thereby falls into mortal sin, the scandalous deed is considered to be likewise mortal sin.[5]
  2. A stumbling stone or tripwire: anything that makes someone trip and fall. This figuratively means "something that causes someone to lose faith in Jesus".[6]
  1. ^ "Matthew 18:6 - The Greatest in the Kingdom". Bible Hub. Retrieved 2024-05-24.
  2. ^ "Matthew 16:23 - Christ's Passion Foretold". Bible Hub. Retrieved 2024-05-24.
  3. ^ "Topical Bible: Stumbling-block". biblehub.com. Retrieved 2024-05-24.
  4. ^ "The Definition of Scandal". Catholic Exchange. 2003-09-24. Retrieved 2024-05-24.
  5. ^ "Catechism of the Catholic Church". www.usccb.org. Retrieved 2024-05-24.
  6. ^ "Strong's Greek: 4625. σκάνδαλον (skandalon) -- a stick for bait (of a trap), generally a snare, a stumbling block, an offense". biblehub.com. Retrieved 2024-05-24.